How to a create a thin white tile with a black number inlayed
 
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How to a create a thin white tile with a black number inlayed  

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Trainman
(@trainman)
Member
How to a create a thin white tile with a black number inlayed

I have a MK4S & MMU3.  I want to create a 1 inch square relatively thin tile that is mostly white PLA with a 2 digit number in black PLA that is inlayed flush.  Is this possible?  Can it be designed in Tinkercad (or some other free design software)?  How would it be sliced in the Prusa slicer?  Any tips on printing it?

Thanks in advance

Posted : 10/11/2024 2:59 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: How to a create a thin white tile with a black number inlayed

Hi Trainman, 
In the attached project file I created a thin tile  (25.4mm x 2mm)
and then after loading it into Prusa slicer, I used the 'Add Modifier> Text' option to add a number to the tile.

this will enable you to add numbers to your tiles, and adjust the size of the text to meet your needs

in the image below. there are two tiles, one has the Text on the top surface, the other has the Text on the bottom surface
If your first layer is well adjusted, the tiles with text on the bottom will have 2 advantages, 
1, the surface finish would not have the filament trace texture that the tiles with text on top, will have, and 
2, the tiles with text on the bottom surface, will have less waste in the purge block because the purge block will only exist whilst the two colours are priting
(In this case 1mm instead of 2mm)

be aware that you can make the numbers thinner with good contrasting colours like black and white in the example I used the default 1mm thickness for the numbers. 
you could probably get away with only two layers of black 

in the example above I set the top layer to have only one perimeter, which aids the infilling of the numbers within the slicer. 
(this is a little more difficult on the first layer when printing face down)

In the attached sample I chose filament one for the black, and filament two for the white filament. this can give more 'Crisp' numbers 

black and white don't purge well, so you may be advised to increase the Purge Volumes above default, in order to reduce the potential grey colouration of the white, due to poor purging. 

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 10/11/2024 9:39 pm
Trainman
(@trainman)
Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: How to a create a thin white tile with a black number inlayed

Hello

Can't thank you enough for the suggestions/help.  I think I have it down but now seem to have an issue with the heater block causing an error.  I just upgraded from the MK4 to the 4S and not sure the nextruder needs to be replaced.  Anyway I know know how to do what I intended thanks to you.

 

Steve

Posted : 11/11/2024 11:03 pm
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